Effect of Forage Type, Sex and Palm Oil Supplementation on Performance and Hormonal Profile of Weaner Rabbits in Sub-Humid Region

Effect of Forage Type, Sex and Palm Oil Supplementation on Performance and Hormonal Profile of Weaner Rabbits in Sub-Humid Region.

ABSTRACT  

Two studies were conducted using a total of 96 mixed breed rabbits aged between 5-7 weeks with an average weight of 789.71g to determine the effect of forage type, forage level, palm oil supplementation and sex on performance, carcass characteristics, serum progesterone and testosterone profile of weaner rabbits. The rabbits were randomly allotted to the treatment groups in a Completely Randomized Design in a factorial arrangement.

The factors considered were forage type (groundnut, lablab), palm oil supplementation (without, with), forage level (20, 40) and sex (male, female). Water and feed were supplied ad libitum. Each study lasted for 98 days. The results showed that rabbits fed 40% forage had a significantly higher feed intake than rabbits fed 20% forage. Total weight gain of rabbits fed 20% forage were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those fed 40% forage.

There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the daily feed cost, total feed cost, feed cost per kg gain by rabbits fed 20% and 40% forage levels. Palm oil supplementation, forage type and sex had no significant effect (P>0.05) on the performance of the rabbits. There were interactions between forage level and palm oil supplementation, forage level and forage type, sex and forage level and palm oil supplementation and sex on the performance of rabbits.  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE………………………………………………………………………….i
DECLARATION………………………………………………………………………………………….ii
CERTIFICATION……………………………………………………………………………………….iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ……………………………………………………………………………. iv
DEDICATION …………………………………………………………………………………………… vi
ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………………………………………… vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS……………………………………………………………………………… ix
LIST OF TABLES ……………………………………………………………………………………. xiv
ABBREVIATIONS……………………………………………………………………………………. xv

CHAPTER ONE………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION ………………………………………………………………………………….. 1
1.1 Justification ……………………………………………………………………………………. 3
1.2 Objectives of this Study……………………………………………………………………. 3

CHAPTER TWO…………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW …………………………………………………………………. 5
2.1 BRIEF HISTORY OF RABBITS ………………………………………………………. 5
2.2 BREEDS OF RABBITS…………………………………………………………………… 5
2.3 IMPORTANCE OF RABBIT PRODUCTION …………………………………….. 6
2.4 COMPOSITION OF RABBIT MEAT………………………………………………… 7
2.5 PRODUCTION CHARACTERISTICS ………………………………………………. 9
2.6 GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF RABBITS……………………………………….. 9
2.7 THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM OF RABBIT ………………………………………… 10
2.7.1 Stomach ………………………………………………………………………………………. 11
2.7.2 Small Intestine………………………………………………………………………………. 12
2.7.3 Hindgut ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 13
2.7.4 Cecotrophy…………………………………………………………………………………… 14
2.8 NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS OF RABBITS………………………………….. 15
2.8.1 Crude Protein ……………………………………………………………………………….. 15
2.8.2 Energy…………………………………………………………………………………………. 17
2.8.3 Vitamins………………………………………………………………………………………. 18
2.9 FORAGES …………………………………………………………………………………… 18
2.9.1 Utilization of forages by rabbits……………………………………………………….. 19
2.10 LABLAB PURPUREUS PLANT…………………………………………………….. 21
2.10.1 Protein and Fibre Composition of Lablab Purpureus plant……………………. 23
2.10.2 Utilization of Lablab by Livestock……………………………………………………. 23
2.11 GROUNDNUT HAULMS ……………………………………………………………… 24
2.11.1 Groundnut Haulms in feeding Livestock……………………………………………. 25
2.12 CONCENTRATE UTILIZATION BY RABBITS………………………………. 26
2.13 CONCENTRATE: FORAGE UTILIZATION……………………………………. 26
2.14 PALM OIL…………………………………………………………………………………… 28
2.14.1 Utilization of Palm oil in Animal Feed ………………………………………………. 30
2.15 CARCASS QUALITY …………………………………………………………………… 30
2.16 HORMONES ……………………………………………………………………………….. 31
2.16.1 Steroid Hormones ………………………………………………………………………….. 32
2.16.1.1 Testosterone …………………………………………………………………………………. 33
2.16.1.2 Progesterone …………………………………………………………………………………. 34
2.16.2 Influence of Nutrition on Hormones in Animals …………………………………. 36

CHAPTER THREE……………………………………………………………………………………. 38
3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS …………………………………………………………….. 38
3.1 Experimental Site…………………………………………………………………………… 38
3.2 Source and processing of Test Ingredients………………………………………….. 38
3.3 Design, management of experimental animal and data collection …………… 38
3.4 Experimental Diets…………………………………………………………………………. 39
3.5 Carcass Analysis……………………………………………………………………………. 41
3.6 Laboratory Analysis ………………………………………………………………………. 42
3.7 Hormone Analysis:………………………………………………………………………… 42
3.7.1 Testosterone Assay Procedure …………………………………………………………. 42
3.7.2 Progesterone Assay Procedure…………………………………………………………. 44
3.8 Statistical Analysis: ……………………………………………………………………….. 45

CHAPTER FOUR ……………………………………………………………………………………… 47
4.0 RESULTS ……………………………………………………………………………………. 47
4.1 PERFORMANCE OF RABBITS …………………………………………………….. 47
4.1.1 Effect of Forage level on performance of rabbits…………………………………. 47
4.1.2 Effect of Forage type on performance of rabbits………………………………….. 47
4.1.3 Effect of Palm oil (PO) inclusion on performance of rabbits………………….. 49
4.1.4 Effect of Sex on performance of rabbits …………………………………………….. 49
4.1.5 Interaction effects of Forage level and Palm oil (PO) on performance of
rabbits ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 51
4.1.6 Interaction effect of Forage level and Forage type on performance of rabbits
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 53
4.1.7 Interaction effect of Forage level and Sex on performance of rabbits……….. 55
4.1.8 Interaction effect of Palm oil and Sex on performance of rabbit ……………… 57
4.2 CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS …………………………………………………….. 59
4.2.1 Effect of Forage type and level on carcass characteristics of rabbits…………. 59
4.2.2 Effect of Palm oil on Carcass characteristics of rabbits…………………………… 59
4.2.3 Interaction effect of Forage type and Palm oil supplementation on carcass
characteristics of rabbits ……………………………………………………………………………… 63
4.2.4 Interaction effect of Forage type and Forage level on carcass characteristics
of rabbits ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 65
4.2.5 Interaction effect of Forage level and Palm oil (PO) on carcass characteristics
of rabbits. …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 67
4.3 HORMONE PROFILE OF RABBITS…………………………………………………. 69
4.3.1 Effect of Age (weeks) on hormone profile of rabbits………………………………. 69
4.3.2 Effect of forage type on hormone profile of rabbits ………………………………… 69
4.3.3 Effect of forage level on hormone profile of rabbits. ………………………………. 71
4.3.4 Effect of palm oil (PO) on hormone profile of rabbits. ……………………………. 71
4.3.5 Interaction effect of forage type and age on hormone profile of rabbits. ……… 73
4.3.6 Interaction effect of forage level and age on hormone profile of rabbits………. 73

CHAPTER FIVE……………………………………………………………………………………….. 76
5.0 DISCUSSION………………………………………………………………………………………. 76
5.1 PERFORMANCE OF RABBITS………………………………………………………….. 76
5.1.1 Effect of Forage level on performance of rabbits……………………………………… 76
5.1.2 Effect of Forage type on performance of rabbits………………………………………. 77
5.1.3 Effect of Palm oil (PO) inclusion on performance of rabbits………………………. 79
5.1.4 Effect of Sex on performance of rabbits …………………………………………………. 80
5.1.5 Interaction effects of Forage level and Palm oil (PO) on performance of rabbits………. 81
5.1.6 Interaction effect of Forage level and Forage types on performance of rabbits. 82
5.2 CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS …………………………………………………………. 83
5.2.1 Effect of Forage type on carcass characteristics of rabbits…………………….. 83
5.2.2 Effect of Forage level on carcass characteristics of rabbits……………………. 83
5.2.3 Effect of palm oil (PO) on carcass characteristics of rabbits………………….. 84
5.2.4 Interaction effects of Forage type and Palm oil (PO) on carcass
characteristics of rabbits ……………………………………………………………………………… 85
5.3 HORMONE PROFILES…………………………………………………………………. 85
5.3.1 Effect of Age on hormone profile of rabbits……………………………………….. 85
5.3.2 Effect of forage type on hormone profile of rabbits……………………………… 86
5.3.3 Effect of palm oil (PO) on hormone profile of rabbits………………………….. 87
5.3.4 Interaction effect of age and forage types on hormone profile of rabbits …. 87
5.3.5 Interaction effect of forage level and age on hormone profile of rabbits….. 88

CHAPTER SIX …………………………………………………………………………………………. 90
6.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION …………………….. 90
6.1 Summary and Conclusion ………………………………………………………………… 90
6.2 Recommendations…………………………………………………………………………… 91
6.3 Recommendations for further studies………………………………………………….. 91

REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………………………….. 92

INTRODUCTION  

The state of nutrition of the Nigerian populace is grossly marked by inadequate intake of protein both in quality and quantity. Animal protein consumption is very essential for meeting protein requirement of man. The average daily protein intake per adult is still far less than the 35g per adult per day recommended by FAO (2007). This shortage has given rise to high prices of animal protein.

Therefore, efforts are being directed towards exploring all reasonable options to meet the recommended level at an affordable price (Ojebiyi et al., 2008). In order to maximize food production and meet protein requirements in Nigeria, viable options need to be explored and evaluated (Owen et al., 2008). Among such alternatives is the use of livestock species that are yet to play a major role in animal production in the country.

Rabbit production is a veritable way of alleviating animal protein deficiency in Nigeria (Ajala and Balogun, 2004). The rabbit has immense potentials and good attributes which include high growth rate, high efficiency in converting forage to meat, short gestation period, high prolificacy, relatively low cost of production and high nutritional quality of rabbit meat which includes low fat, sodium and cholesterol levels.

It also has a high protein level of about 20.8% and its consumption is bereft of cultural and religious biases (Biobaku and Oguntona, 1997). Domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are ubiquitous, providing protein, fibre, research models, and companionship. Rabbits have high reproductive potentials, fast growth rate (Hassan et al., 2012), utilize low grain and high roughage diets and breed all year-round (Irlbeck, 2001). 

REFERENCES

Abdella, H. M., Shalash, S. M. M., Boulos, N. Z. and Selim, A. B. (1988). Effect on
Growing Rabbits of Feeding Different Levels of Crude Protein. Journal of
Applied Rabbit Research, 11(5): 252-254.

Abdel-Salem, F. E., El-Abdady, M. R., Aboul-Seoud, A. A., Omar, E. M. and Khafagi, S.
Z. I. (1972). Effect of Dietary Crude Protein Levels on Growing Rabbits.
Agricultural Research Review, 50: 129-149.

Abdu, S.B., Jokthan, G.E., Hassan, M.R., Adamu, H.Y., Yashim, S.M. and Emmanuel, I.
(2012). Effect of Inclusion Levels of Carrot (Daucus carota) Leaf Meal on
Performance of Growing Rabbits. World Journal of Life Science and
Medical Research, 2(2): 65-70.

Abu, O.A. and Onifade, A.A. (1996). Effects of cassava waste substitution for maize in
weaner rabbit diets. Bulletin on Animal Health and Production of Africa, 44: 167-172.

Abu, O.A., Onifade, A.A., Abanikannda, O.T.F. and Obiyan, R.I. (2008). Status and
Promotional Strategies for Rabbit Production in Nigeria. 9th World Rabbit
Congress – June 10-13, Verona – Italy.

Abu, O.A., Tewe, O.O. and Bakare, J. (1999). Performance, nutrient digestibility and
carcass characteristics of rabbits fed sweet potato based diets. International
Journal of Animal Sciences, 14: 197-201.

Adegbola, T.A., Tibi, E.U. and Asogwa, (1985). Feed intake and digestibility of rabbits
on all- forage, forage plus concentrate and all-concentrate diets. Journal of
Animal Production Research, 5:15-16,185-191.

StudentsandScholarship Team.